by Iasmin Cardoso Rodrigues | reviewed by Kiara Neves – December 17th

On December 15th at the Centro Intercultural Internacional (International Intercultural Center or CII) the Israel Corner had its opening ceremony. Several diplomatic representatives were present, along with authorities from USP and USP International Cooperation Office (AUCANI). The event is part of a series that opens spaces for displaying the culture of some countries at the CII.

The opening was attended by representatives from many embassies and other diplomatic institutions, along with the magnificent USP’s President, Vahan Agopyan, and other members of all pro-rectories. Three speeches were delivered before the official opening of the Israel Corner: the first by AUCANI’s President, Valmor Tricoli, the second by Israel’s Vice-Consul, Aviel Avraham, and the last by USP’s President. All speeches talked about the importance of Israel-USP relations, the hopes for the future, and the advantages of international cultural exchanges. The main point of the ceremony was the cutting of the inaugural ribbon carried out by the three authorities. That was the official opening of the Israel Corner for visitors.

Located in the same building as the Academic Reception Office, the International Intercultural Center seeks to become USP’s Visitor Center, so USP students may learn about different cultures, and foreigner students may have a point of reference (either if they need support or for meeting new people). AUCANI is the agency responsible for both organizing events (including the openings) and coordinating the activities offered for the students.

The Israel Corner is the second to open in the collection of exhibitions from different nations. The first was the Korea Corner, which opened about a month ago. Some other countries will also have their “corners” enriching the IIC, an initiative aimed at encouraging cultural exchange at the university.

 “The main idea is a multicultural environment of welcoming, reception and opportunities for all of us,” Valmor Tricoli said in his speech, highlighting the CII’s purpose as a center aimed at increasing the number of exchange opportunities, to which the Israeli committee proposed to soon hold events to enable USP students to interact with Israeli culture.

Vice-Consul Aviel Avraham delivered his speech in Hebrew, with translation into Portuguese done by a small robot brought to the event by the Israeli commission as an example of Israeli technology already in use in various business sectors. In his speech, Avraham praised the relationship between USP and Israel.

President Vahan Agopyan made last speech of the ceremony. He also spoke about the USP-Israel relations and how there was a great number of exchange students from Israel, even despite the pandemic. “In the 21st century, globalization is a reality. As an educational institution, we have the obligation to offer our students this global environment,” said the President about both Israel Corner and the CII. “It’s a place in which I hope cultural events will take place continuously, in order for both USP students and foreign students to have the opportunity of this interaction”.

During the ceremony, there was a performance of Brazilian music with cellist Gabriel de Arruda Alvico and of Israeli music with Grupo Zamarim. As with the inauguration of the CII and Korea Corner, the event featured an exhibition of EDUSP books about the university itself, with the donation of some of these books. There was also the presence of the Zoology, Geosciences and Oceanographic Museums in the form of displays of their collections and banners with information about these institutions.